Midas DL451, Operator'S Manual

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Chapter 2: XL8 Live Performance System Overview
DL451 Modular I/O
Operator Manual
Integration of third party software
The XL8 network includes the capability to interface any third party hardware
1
that uses
AES/EBU, AES50 or Cobranet (96Hz) digital audio, or standard analogue audio
interface.
Each XL8 AES/EBU input and output has a sample rate converter. Synchronisation to
external AES3 interfaces can be:
• Global - via inputs on the routers.
• Local to each input.
• Local to each output (synchronisation to adjacent local output).
Multiple local connections can be at different sample rates.
The use of the AES50 protocol for the transmission of digital audio means that any third
party digital audio hardware that features this connection can be connected to the
Midas network, and will transfer audio to and from the Midas hardware without any
additional interfaces or converters (provided it runs in TDM 96kHz mode). This will be
particularly useful as the protocol gains acceptance with recording and playback
devices, loudspeaker controllers, audio networking systems, digital amplifiers etc.
PC or MAC computers can use the Ethernet tunnel in the MidasNET system, and can
communicate with other computers on the network, or can be used to control
USB-equipped hardware remotely via the MidasNET from a standard Ethernet
connection. This opens up many opportunities to use the network for transmitting
control data as well as digital audio.
The XL8 Control Centre features a four-way KVM switch on the output module screen,
as well as external video IN and OUT for each of the five screens. Control centre views
can be routed to external monitors, and external video sources can be displayed on the
control centre’s screens.
The KVM switch facilitates the control of three external computers from the screen,
trackball and keyboard of the control centre. This is hugely important and means that
third party systems can be controlled from within the XL8 without having to move your
head to look at screens placed off to one side.
It also means that there is no need to
find somewhere to put multiple keyboards and mice. Examples are:
• ProTools. Right in the middle of the XL8! Link ProTools and XL8 audio digitally and
use any ProTools plug-in as an insert to the XL8!
• Netmax (AES/EBU audio link initially and Cobranet when the 48kHz I/O module is
available on XL8).
• IRIS (for example, for RL amps).
• KT Elgar (control can use Ethernet tunnel from FOH to stage).
• Wireless mic controllers
2
.
• Your email.
• DVD movies.
1. It is currently intended that MADI and Cobranet (48Hz) will be made available after product
release.
2. Shure UHF-R has been run and EV RE1 (new version) is planned to interface via the USB
port on the DL431 mic splitter.